A little fun to complement our lessons

I had a moment of "It sounds good in my head." as I layed out all the supplies for a fun project for our Wednesday night class with the children.  I got a little nervous for a few minutes.

One of our little friends was trying to tell Mr. Ted he wanted a picture of a snake to color.  Ted couldn't quite understand what he was asking for.  Little Mr. A. finally looked at him and said, "You no hear good!"  He finally got his picture of a snake to color...and we had a snack later.

We took turns coloring and painting.

The children worked well and painted carefully.

We will do a little bit each week to finish the 7 banners.

Resting

I am so thankful for the beautiful summer days that God sends to break the heat and humidity!  It is like an oasis...a place of rest and refreshment.  Today is one of those days for me physically and spiritually.  My heart is full.  My soul is at peace.  My mind is at rest.

The windows are open to air out the house.  The breeze blowing the curtains and whispering through each room.  I am able to sit still with a grateful heart.  I know I have struggled.  I know I have grown.  I know I have been tired.   Today, I am at rest.  The skies are blue.  The air is fresh.  What a picture of what the Holy Spirit has been doing in my life!  I understand the words to the song, Stand Still and Let God Move.  I have a better understanding of the verse in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God..."  There are times to stand.  There are times to fight.  There are times to rest.  I wish I could post the songs that are playing right now.  What a comfort to know that God is in control!  There is sweet rest in my submission to that truth!

"Guys, the first rule is to have fun, but we are going to do it safely! These are the rules..."

Teddy's friend looked at him and said, "I don't care what the rules are just as long as there are no girls here!"

It was a beautiful day for the guys to hit the river.  NO GIRLS ALLOWED!

Tears...just like the rain...are cleansing.

The daisies are beautiful this morning...lifting their faces heavenward...in times of sunshine and in times of rain.

"Stand Still and Let God Move..."

"...standing still is hard to do."

I've been reading a book about Caleb and Joshua which prompted me to read and study about the children of Israel.  How many times did they question and doubt God's ways?  How many times they chose to do things in their own way?  How many times did they refuse follow God's plan?  How many times did they suffer for their sinful choices?  How many people died?  How many family members were affected for generations?  They saw the blessings of God in very clear ways many times...yet they continued to murmur, complain, question, and disobey time and time again.  I am thankful for the truth of God's Word yesterday, today, and forever.  And I am thankful for how He leads me to study what I need at the right time.

"The answers will come...but only in God's time...stand still and let God move."

Three days of selling...

three looong days...according to the kiddos!  We counted the money in their box.

Divided it up...and found that they made enough to cover the purchase of supplies...and made a little profit!  We sat together tonight and went over the finances.  We asked about their experience.  We got mixed reviews...some in the form of head and eye rolls.  It was a great learning experience...for all three of them.

It was fun to rip up the receipts and the spending bucket I.O.U.s!  We did find out that people like things that are different...and familiar.  Waffle iron brownies were a big seller...

but those chocolate chip cookies kept up too! 

And the best part...

"we have a few bags left for us!"

"Life is tough. Put your helmet on and deal with it!"

Well...it is how we dealt with a slow garage sale day!

The adults sat and talked...well...I layed on the cot when people weren't there! 

And the kiddos entertained us in many different ways.

Happy Birthday daisies for my Momma!

They bloomed today...I like to think in honor of my Momma! 

Happy Birthday, We love you!

Playing with the garage sale stuff...

Oh...please...don't...hurt...yourself!

Oh...I'm...so...glad...you wore the motorcycle helmet!

Monkey see...monkey do...over and over and over!

Happy Birthday to our nine year old!

We spent the day outside again at the garage sale.  And then I snuck away to take care of some birthday preparations!

Vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and flowers!

Daddy turned the cake so Alisa could get it blown out in one breath.  What a nice Daddy!

Pizza supper!

Aunt Sara playing with Alisa's new back scratcher.

Today was the longest day in history...

by 12:49pm...according to our children!  They figured it should be about 3:00pm! 

It has been a good lesson in small business.  You prepare and then you wait...and wait...and wait...for customers!  They sold out of all their baked goods...so the martyr complex didn't fly!

Due to Ashlynn's keen eye and concern for all things chocolate...we moved their table to a better spot...away from the intermittent sun's shining.

The employees actually "fought" for their "shift"!

God gave us a beautiful day for a garage sale!  Coffee in the garage while wearing a sweatshirt...perfect!

It was a family affair!

Teddy got to mow Papa's lawn!  He was so excited that Papa took time out to teach him.  Our mower is heavier and harder to push.  I wonder if he will always be so willing!

Sure, they are cute!

They look so calm...but don't let them fool you!  They are full of crazy energy and goofy-ness...and it seems to come out in full force on the days that we are cooped up indoors!

One more birthday on Friday...and she has put in her request...vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and "Can you decorate it?  I was thinking some flowers."   I can't help but smile and oblige. 

How different they all are!

It's official...summer 2011 is here!

It was a perfectly hot and humid day for spending time at the pool...and then the rain moved in rather quickly.

Conversations

"Dad, are you telling us something or teaching us something." asked Teddy.
Well, I guess both, son.

"You mean the Daddy that is here right now?" asked Ashlynn.
Um, you only have had one Daddy, dear.

"Don't be a bump on a log!" instructed Daddy.
Huh?! What does that mean?
"It means...uh...get off your duff and do something!  Don't just sit there and stare!  Be a leader!"
Oh.
"I thought everybodies' parents said that to their children?  It just loses something when you have to explain...'Don't be a bump on a log!'" sighed Dad.

Proof that our day was filled with activity and fun!

Ted called before we left the house...HE PASSED HIS TEST!  All 6 (plus me) girls cheered loudly!  We wished him well as he left the house this morning for quieter regions. 

8:00pm...all three children rolled into bed after a supper "cooked" by Dad and showers.

Dad and Mom crashed shortly thereafter!

Time shared with friends...

...is just never long enough...when you enjoy the time with your friends!

"Thanks, Mom...and Dad too...we had a really nice time!  We just wish everyone could stay tonight too!"